what impact is the fiscal cliff having? >> it's impacting the level of activity in the final quarter of 2012. we are seeing acceleration. if we look at volume and values of deals in october and november, we popped up 10%, 15% above the average after the previous nine months. so i think if you were contemplating the deal between september of this year and march of next, the likelihood is you'll try to pull it forward to try to take advantage of the capital gains tax certainlily. >> so if you're rushing through this year, there will be a lull in the first quarter. >> yeah. i agree. i think we will potentially see a lull in the first quarter. but on the assumption that we do get past the fiscal cliff with successful resolution, which i think we're all optimistic we will, i think fundamentals are strong. we have corporate balance sheets still strong. we have private equity with a lot of available cash. and general improvement in confidence. and i think with the certainty of -- the uncertainty of the presidential election behind